Optical switch for single and multiple projectors

A projection system, comprising:

• a first light source configured to emit a first-eye light, wherein the first-eye light includes a first set of wavelengths;
• a second light source configured to emit a second-eye light, wherein the second-eye light includes a second set of wavelengths, wherein the second light source is distinct from the first light source;
• a first projector including first projection optics configured to receive a first input light;
• and
• an optical switch configured to be switched between a first mode and a second mode,
• wherein the optical switch is configured to, in the first mode, combine the first-eye light and the second-eye light into a combined light and direct the combined light to the first projection optics as the first input light, wherein
• the optical switch includes a reflective element and a first filter, and
• when the optical switch is in the first mode:
• the reflective element is configured to reflect the first-eye light to the first filter as first-eye reflected light, and
• the first filter is configured to reflect a first portion of the second-eye light, to transmit a second portion of the second-eye light as a first portion of the combined light, and to reflect the first-eye reflected light as a second portion of the combined light.

A method of image projection comprising:

• emitting a first-eye light by a first light source, wherein the first-eye light includes a first set of wavelengths;
• emitting a second-eye light by a second light source, wherein the second-eye light includes a second set of wavelengths;
• receiving, with an optical switch, all of the first-eye light and all of the second-eye light together;
• and
• switching the optical switch between a first mode and a second mode,
• wherein, in the first mode, the optical switch combines the all of the first-eye light and a portion of the second-eye light into a combined light and directs the combined light to a first projection optics as a first input light.

A method of image projection comprising:

• emitting a first-eye light by a first light source, wherein the first-eye light includes a first set of wavelengths;
• emitting a second-eye light by a second light source, wherein the second-eye light includes a second set of wavelengths;
• receiving a first input light by a first projector including first projection optics;
• and
• switching an optical switch between a first mode and a second mode,
• wherein the optical switch is configured to, in the first mode, combine the first-eye light and the second-eye light into a combined light and direct the combined light to the first projection optics as the first input light,
• wherein the second projector includes a second filter, the method further comprising:
• when the optical switch is in the second mode, reflecting, by the second filter, a first portion of the first-eye light and transmitting, by the second filter, a second portion of the first-eye light as the second input light.

A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions that, when executed by a processor of a projection device, cause the projection device to perform a set of operations comprising:

• controlling a first light source to emit a first-eye light, wherein the first-eye light includes a first set of wavelengths;
• controlling a second light source to emit a second-eye light, wherein the second-eye light includes a second set of wavelengths;
• controlling an optical switch to
• receive all of the first-eye light and all of the second-eye light together, and
• switch between a first mode and a second mode,
• wherein, in the first mode, the optical switch combines the all of the first-eye light and a portion of the second-eye light into a combined light and directs the combined light to a first projection optics as a first input light.